But the coronavirus lockdown was never going to diminish the sacrifices of a generation, nor dampen the achievements of the heroes of the Second World War.

On Saturday, the nation will celebrate the defeat of fascism by Allied powers and reflect on the grim price paid by so many for freedom.

Commemorations will be kicked off by the RAF in mid-morning as the Red Arrows perform a flypast over London and modern RAF Typhoon jets fly over Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast.

Those lucky enough to live nearby will be able to view the aerial display from their gardens, although precise details are being kept under wraps to avoid the possibility of crowds gathering.

At 11am, the Prince of Wales will lead a two-minute silence from Scotland, where he has been isolating with the Duchess of Cornwall, before a message of reflection, recorded by the Archbishop of Canterbury, is broadcast.

The Royal British Legion then invites the nation to settle down with a cup of tea and listen to its VE Day 75 Livestream as young and old unite to chat about their shared experiences.

At 2.55pm, solo buglers, trumpeters and cornet players are encouraged to play the Last Post from the safety of their homes as individual pipers play Battle's O'er from the four highest peaks across the UK – Ben Nevis, Scafell Peak, Mount Snowdon and Slieve Donald.

At 3pm, Dame Joan Collins will lead the "Nation's Toast" from the balcony of her London flat on behalf of the women of Britain, acknowledging the many roles they played in the war. The public are encouraged to join in with the words: "To those who gave so much, we thank you."

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, will read the recently discovered Edmund Blunden poem "VE Day" before the Prince of Wales reads extracts from the diary of his grandfather King George VI.

The King meticulously documented the war years and their climax, which included a celebratory lunch with Churchill and the Royal Family's Buckingham Palace balcony appearances.

At 4pm, the historian Dan Snow will broadcast the last of his special VE Day-inspired history lessons live on YouTube's Timeline channel before the Royal Albert Hall live streams a performance by Katherine Jenkins – the first concert held behind closed doors in the venue's history.

Katherine Jenkins will make history in the Royal Albert Hall's first performance behind closed doors
Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Jenkins will also perform a virtual duet with Dame Vera Lynn during the 6pm event, which will raise money for Armed Forces charity the SSAFA.

The Queen will address the nation at 9pm, the exact time her father, King George VI, made his radio address to the nation in 1945 to announce victory in Europe after “nearly six years of suffering and peril”.

The address will be followed by a nationwide singalong of Vera Lynn's wartime anthem, We'll Meet Again, with people encouraged to throw open their front doors and belt out the enduring hit in unison.

Boris Johnson will observe the two-minute silence from Downing Street before speaking to a Second World War veteran via video call.

He said: “Seventy-five years ago today, the people of this country celebrated victory against Hitler’s aggression.

“On the frontline, they fought with courage, ingenuity and endurance, and on the Home Front, women defended our cities against air raids, worked the factories and ran the hospitals.

“This country triumphed thanks to the heroism of countless ordinary people, and because of this, hundreds of millions of people now live in peace and freedom today.

“Today we must celebrate their achievement, and we remember their sacrifice.

“We are a free people because of everything our veterans did – we offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered.”

Traditional street parties may have been abandoned but that has not stopped communities coming together to find innovative ways to celebrate.

Families are encouraged to enjoy 1940s-themed picnics or tea parties in their front gardens, deck their living rooms in red, white and blue.

A care home in Ipswich, Anchor Hanover’s St Marys, has created a unique museum about its residents' wartime experiences, collating letters, old photographs and military uniforms for an installation.

In Newcastle, the Tyne Bridge will be illuminated in red, white and blue, Wigan Council has encouraged residents to deck out the streets themselves and Leigh-on-Sea in Essex has been transformed with colourful bunting strung from house to house.

One road in Palmers Green, north London, will throw a socially distanced street party, with residents encouraged to raise a toast from their doorsteps.

There may be nos street parties, but people have been encouraged to celebrate VE Day
Credit: HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY

However, police have warned that the bank holiday celebration should not be seen as an excuse for a knees up.

Senior officers fear that fine weather combined with alcohol will lead people to flout social distancing rules and abandon the lockdown, causing potential disruption.

Chief Inspector Chris Joughin of Merseyside Police said on Thursday: “Please remember why the restrictions are in place and use the time at home this bank holiday weekend to do things together as a family.”